In pics | Daredevil act back in Ghaziabad, boys jump off bridge moments before train arrives

This practise had come to light in July 2016 when a video of the act had gone viral on social media. But despite police cracking down on villagers last year, this year thrill-seekers are back in business again.

After the video went viral, police personnel and officials of the district administration had visited the Masuri canal area in July 2016 and warned locals against performing daredevil acts.

But this year too thrill-seekers have taken up their spots on the Ghaziabad-Hapur section railway overbridge on the Upper Ganga Canal. Here, they engage in stunts such as approaching fast moving trains and jumping into the canal from the rail overbridge just as the train nears.

Youngsters jump off trains as well from the spot.
(Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

The canal is frequented by youngsters of Ghaziabad, Noida and for diving and swimming. A visit by an HT team found several youngsters standing on the railway tracks and jumping seconds before the train approaches.

Some of the youngsters also stood on the sides of the bridge below the railway tracks and jumped off as the train passed by.
(Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

Some of the youngsters also stood on the sides of the bridge below the railway tracks and jumped off after the train passed by. Locals defended the practise and said no accident has happened so far.

“Jumping from the bridge before approaching trains is dangerous, but people often do it here. People have been doing this for years now and never suffered any incident, except for a few instances of drowning. The speed of trains has increased since the section was electrified. Police often drive them away, but they return again,” a boy said.

“Last year too, we had sent officials and police to check such activities. These acts are dangerous and people could die. We have again ordered our tehsildars and police to visit the spot and issue warnings to locals,” said Atul Kumar, SDM.